Event—Adult Education

The Baroque Spirit: Handel, Bach, and their Contemporaries

The towering spiritual and cultural achievements of the Baroque era are nobly reflected in the work of Bach and Handel (both born in 1685). From Bach, we are bequeathed secular masterpieces of intensity, poetry, intellectual rigor, and breathtaking spiritual achievement, such as the oratorios. More grandiose and yet remarkably direct and communicative, Handel's art is represented by...

Cost and Registration Information

Early Registration Price (August 27 at 9 am** – September 13 at 4 pm): $230
Regular Registration Price (September 13 at 4 pm – first day of class): $253

** Registration opens online at 9 am. Phone registration will be accepted starting at 10 am.

Members, seniors, and students get a 10% discount.

Online registration has closed. Please call (312) 255-3700 to register.

Seminar Description

The towering spiritual and cultural achievements of the Baroque era are nobly reflected in the work of Bach and Handel (both born in 1685). From Bach, we are bequeathed secular masterpieces of intensity, poetry, intellectual rigor, and breathtaking spiritual achievement, such as the oratorios. More grandiose and yet remarkably direct and communicative, Handel's art is represented by orchestral concertos and his inimitable oratorios. In this course, we will examine the works of Bach and Handel, as well as those of their contemporaries Scarlatti and Vivaldi, thereby gaining a fascinating, comprehensive panorama of an important era in music history.

Six sessions. E - $230, L - $253

John Gibbons teaches piano, composition, music theory, and a variety of music appreciation classes for adults. He holds a PhD in music composition from the University of Chicago and is a long-time instructor at the University of Chicago Graham School and the Newberry Library.

Materials List

Required:

  • There are no required materials for this class.

First Reading:

  • There is no reading assignment for the first class.

This class is part of the Newberry’s Adult Education Seminars Program. Learn more about our registration procedures.